Pubdate: Tue, 06 Oct 2009
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Lora Grindlay, The Province
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
CHOPPER PILOT JAILED
Kelowna Man, 29, Dubbed 'Sacrificial Lamb' By Lawyer
A 29-year-old Kelowna helicopter pilot has been sentenced to almost
four years in jail for his part in a cross-border drug-smuggling ring.
Jeremy Snow was given the 46-month sentence Friday by Judge Robert
Lasnik in Seattle's U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to
conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance
(marijuana).
Snow was arrested March 5 when he landed a helicopter in the woods of
northern Idaho with 79 kilograms of marijuana on board. His arrest
came as part of Operation Blade Runner, a joint Canada-U.S.
investigation.
Just prior to Snow's arrest, Samuel Lindsay-Brown, 24, of Nelson was
arrested on Feb. 23 in Ione, Wash., when his helicopter landed and 193
kg of marijuana was seized.
Lindsay-Brown committed suicide four days later while in Spokane
County Jail.
A U.S. court document filed by Snow's lawyer, Richard Troberman,
describes Snow as a "sacrificial lamb" who was a student at a
commercial helicopter flying school when he was recruited to fly the
load after the group's regular pilot refused because of the arrest of
Lindsay-Brown.
Snow, a father of a seven-year-old daughter, was significantly in debt
and was offered a substantial amount of money to fly the load. "After
much badgering," he agreed, the document says.
When he landed near Priest Lake, Idaho, undercover police and Drug
Enforcement Agents were posing as the landing crew.
"This was a one-time event, and Mr. Snow was involved in the
conspiracy for only two days," said Troberman.
The lawyer states Snow has "learned a costly lesson," has shown
genuine remorse, has accepted responsibility for his actions and has
the love and support of his family.
Operation Blade Runner resulted in the arrests of eight Canadians and
one American and the seizure of two helicopters, 272 kg of marijuana
and 80 kg of cocaine.
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